Default Options

The following table lists the options that control the format and processing of addresses. These are called "default options" because by default the apply to all addresses. Some of these options can be overridden for Canadian addresses. For more information, see Canadian Address Options.

Table 1. Default Options

Option

Description

Casing

Specifies the casing of the output address. One of the following:

Mixed
Returns the output in mixed case (default). For example:

123 Main St
Mytown FL 12345

Upper
Returns the output in upper case. For example:

123 MAIN ST
MYTOWN FL 12345

Insert postal code separation character

Specifies whether to use separators (spaces or hyphens) in ZIP™ Codes or Canadian postal codes.

For example, a ZIP + 4® Code with the separator would be 20706-1844 and without the separator it would be 207061844. A Canadian postal code with the separator would be P5E"1S7 and without the separator it would be P5E1S7.

Note: Spaces are used in Canadian postal codes and hyphens in U.S. ZIP + 4® Codes.

Output multinational characters

Specifies whether or not to return multinational characters, including diacritical marks such as umlauts or accents. (Not supported for U.S. addresses).

Secondary address placement

Specifies where to place secondary address information for U.S. addresses. Secondary address information refers to apartment numbers, suite numbers, and similar designators. For example, in this address the secondary address information is "Apt 10E" and the primary address information is "424 Washington Blvd".

Apt 10E
424 Washington Blvd
Springfield MI 49423

Same line as address
Place both primary and secondary address information in AddressLine1 (default).
Separate address line
Place the primary address information in AddressLine1 and the secondary address information in AddressLine2.
Dual address separation
Place both primary and secondary address information in AddressLine1 and place dropped information from dual addresses in AddressLine2. A dual address is an address that contains both street information and PO Box/Rural Route/Highway Contract information. For more information, see About Dual Address Logic.

City format

Specifies how to format city names that have short city name or non-mailing city name alternatives. Applies to U.S. and Canadian addresses.

Short
Returns the USPS®-approved abbreviation for the city, if there is one. The USPS® provides abbreviations for city names that are 14 characters long or longer. City abbreviations are 13 characters or less and can be used when there is limited space on the mailing label. If there is no short city name for the city, then the full city name is returned.
Long
Returns the long city name (default).
Standard
Returns the abbreviated city name only if an abbreviated city name is used in the input address. If the input address does not use a short city name, either the long or short city name could be returned, depending on USPS® regulations for the particular city. Select this option if you are performing a CASS™ test.
Non-Mailing (Vanity)
Output the non-mailing city name (the vanity name) if the input city name is a non-mailing city name. For example, "Hollywood" is a non-mailing city name for "Los Angeles". If you do not select this option and the input city name is a non-mailing city name the long version of the mailing city is returned.

Country format

Specifies the format to use for the country name returned in the Country output field. For example, if you select English, the country name "Deutschland" would be returned as "Germany".

English Names
Use English country names (default).
Spanish Names
Use Spanish country names.
French Names
Use French country names.
German Names
Use German country names.
ISO Codes
Use two-letter ISO abbreviation for the countries instead of country names.
UPU Codes
Use Universal Postal Union abbreviation for the countries instead of country names.

Default country

Specifies the default country. You should specify the country where most of your addresses reside. For example, if most of the addresses you process are in Canada, specify Canada. Validate Address uses the country you specify to attempt validation when it cannot determine the country from the StateProvince, PostalCode, and Country address fields.

Dual address logic

Indicates how to return a match if multiple non-blank address lines are present or multiple address types are on the same address line. (U.S. addresses only.)

Normal Match
(Default) USPS® CASS™ regulations determine the address returned based on the following order of priority:
  1. PO Box
  2. Firm
  3. Highrise
  4. Street
  5. Rural Route
  6. General Delivery
Street Match
Return a street match, regardless of the address line.
PO Box Match
Return a PO Box match, regardless of the address line.

For more information, see About Dual Address Logic.